These questions – and Other Big Questions for Kids – are the subject of a new book published by Wayland Books.

The authors – Michael Rosen (writer, broadcaster and Professor of Childen’s Literature at Goldsmiths, University of London) and Annemarie Young (publisher and writer of story books and non-fiction for children) are supplemented by contributions from well-known humanists such as Stephen Fry, Philip Pullman, Jim Al-Khalili, Shappi Khorsandi, Camila Batmanghelidjh and Natalie Haynes.

We shall examine this new book, as well as the programme of Humanist Care and the roles of Humanist Celebrants at our next meeting at 11.00 a.m. on Saturday 4th July 2015 at Reason Coffee Shop & Bookstore, 116 The Parade, Watford, Hertfordshire, WD17 1BD.

We will also explore the possibility of introducing a series of talks, lectures and discussions on the subject of critical thinking skills.

At a meeting held on Saturday 6th June 2015, it was agreed to re-form the Watford Area Humanists group and to re-affiliate to the British Humanist Association as a partner group.

John Dowdle was elected President, Neal Emery as Secretary and Derek Foster as Treasurer.

Humanists think for themselves about what is right and wrong, based on reason, experience and respect for others.

They find meaning, beauty and joy in the one life we have, without the need for an afterlife.

Humanists look to science instead of religion as the best way to discover and understand the world.

Humanists believe that people can use empathy and compassion to make the world a better place for everyone.

Member meetings are held at 11.00 a.m. on the first Saturday of each month at the Reason Coffee Shop & Bookstore, 116 The Parade; with evening public meetings being held in the same venue from 7.30 p.m. on the first Tuesday of each month.

Details of public meetings and other events can be seen at http://watford.humanist.org.uk.

John Dowdle – President of Watford Area Humanists – will provide a report back on how the discussion went at the Watford Celebration event and will chair a further discussion and analysis session on this highly important topic arising from the recent Charlie Hebdo and Bangladesh bloggers’ murders, as well as the historical Satanic Verses fatwah and the attempted murder of a Danish cartoonist.